Texas guard Myck Kabongo was suspended for 23 games. / Eric Gay AP

by Scott M Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

by Scott M Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

When calling Saturday's Texas-Michigan State game on ESPN2, Bilas voiced his opinion on the NCAA's 23-game suspension of Texas guard Myck Kabongo.

Bilas called the NCAA "mistrustful" and felt that the handling of Kabongo, who accepted impermissible benefits and then provided false statements to university officials, was "absurd" and inconsistent.

"I think it was excessive and unnecessary," Bilas said of the suspension during the first half of the live broadcast. "I wind up asking, what are we really accomplishing here? What the NCAA did was suspend a kid and call him a liar. For what? A plane ticket and a workout?"

Bilas pointed to the NCAA's handling of Penn State to describe the inconsistency.

The NCAA originally suspended Kabongo for a year, but an appeals/reinstatement committee reduced the penalty to 23 games, thus making Kabongo eligible to play Feb. 13. The Texas guard also must repay $475 for airfare and training he received.

The NCAA continues to punish any coach or player who doesn't provide factual information. The NCAA revealed Kabongo provided "false and misleading information during two separate interviews with university officials."

Bilas, who's a part-time lawyer, was particularly disgruntled by the "unethical conduct" part of the ruling, finding the NCAA to be highly hypocritical.

Bilas stood up for Kabongo, suggesting the player's reaction is to be expected when interviewed by school officials. He also noted players don't get an opportunity to defend themselves legally.

"This is a lot like with a parent," Bilas said. "The initial response is to deny. ... Any time the NCAA compliance issue (a suspension) goes to administration, the first thing they do is get a lawyer. (Players) don't get that. I think players need counsel."

At the end of the broadcast in the second half, the Kabongo topic was brought up again and Bilas again sounded off.

"It started in May and took the NCAA forever to make the decision," he said.